C, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO,
NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI

chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802

FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Christopher R. HILL

embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-054, Warsaw P1

mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State,
Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)

telephone: [48] (22) 628-30-41

FAX: [48] (22) 628-82-98

consulate(s) general: Krakow

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red;
similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and
white

Poland Economy

Economy - overview: Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of
liberalizing the economy and today stands out as one of the most
successful and open transition economies. GDP growth has been strong
and steady since 1992 - the best performance in the region. The
privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a
liberal law on establishing new firms has allowed for the rapid
development of a vibrant private sector. In contrast, Poland's large
agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems,
surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment.
Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal,
steel, railroads, and energy) has begun. Structural reforms in
health care, education, the pension system, and state administration
have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further
progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of
Poland's remaining state sector. The government's determination to
enter the EU as soon as possible affects most aspects of its
economic policies. Improving Poland's outsized current account
deficit and reining in inflation are priorities. Warsaw leads the
region in foreign investment and needs a continued large inflow.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $327.5 billion (2000 est.)